The Celtics’ Gordon Hayward has cleared the quarantine process in Orlando, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll be able to play in the conference finals if his team advances on Friday. Hayward suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain in the first round of the playoffs last month against the Sixers. He averaged 17.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 4.1 APG during the regular season.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Kyle Lowry doesn’t need any added incentive after leading the Raptors to a Game 7 showdown with Boston, but he’ll benefit monetarily if the Raptors reach the conference finals for the second consecutive season. Lowry will earn a $500K bonus if Toronto advances, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets.
- Knicks player development coach Royal Ivey is drawing interest from other teams, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. The Knicks aren’t sure whether they want to hold onto Ivey and it’s likely he’d be allowed out of his contract to pursue another job. At least one team was interested in giving Ivey a more prominent assistant’s role last season but the Knicks’ previous regime wouldn’t allow an interview. New York had plans to add a sixth assistant, but it’s unclear if that will happen, Begley adds.
- Marc Gasol‘s stint with the Raptors is heading toward an unceremonious end, Michael Grange of Sportsnet Canada writes. The impending free agent center is averaging just 5.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 2.0 APG in the conference semifinals against Boston. Gasol is making $25.6MM in the final year of his contract.
I mean, if the Raptors win it all, won’t there be some sort of a ceremony involving Gasol?
Lmao I was thinking the same. It’s a bad series but still a weird thing for someone to write. Not like he’s been awful all year. Not his fault a team was stupid enough to give him that kind of money.
It wasn’t a bad contract at all until this final year. The guy’s 35 so you can’t flack him too much
He wasn’t looking to shoot. Like from anywhere. I advocated that Toronto keep Gasol not Ibaca, but Gasol is not thriving in the camp environment.
Sorry but my Celtics beated the Raptors so it makes no difference go Celtics
He’ll be fine. Gasol going ring chasing with Warriors lols. Kyle could get a 500 grand chk. 1 gm Daaam
I’ll play like an MVP. I’m rooting for Celts sorry Kyle
I know. It is so horrible, those ring chasers. What happened to the good old days when players were happy with losing.
Celtics vs Heat …. who is Ray Allen rooting for ?
Who is Jesus Shuttlesworth rooting for ?
I got Heat in seven ….
Celtics will win in 6 games
no offense to you but it’s possible, look at all these bench players with horrible contracts, Evan Turner, Solomon Hill the lists for on. he’ll probably get 2-5 mill a year. it’s just today’s nba
Agree
NBA minimum for 10 yr vet. Is like 2 mill a yr. That’s a nice chk. Plus playoff money if they make playoffs.
Celtics will need Hayward and bench against Heat. Celtics play good perimeter D. They will need it against Heat shooters. I think Bam has big advantage here. Celts will need all their bigs. He’s much better than all of them. Heat offense has been clicking. They move the ball and don’t care who scores. They are not really dependent on one scorer. It’s like they take turns. Jimmy will take Tatum. That should be a battle. IMO Jalen for Boston, Bam for Miami. Those two can have biggest impact. Cause those most difficult to defend for each team. This one is going to be Fun.